Feeding mechanism for printing presses



' y 26, 1942- J. F. JIROUSEK FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed' Oct. l5, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOSEPH F.J IROU SEK;

ATTORNEY 5 May 26, 1942.

J. F. J IR O USEK FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Oct. 15, 1939 'a sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH F. JIROUSEK m m A y 26, 1942- J. F. JIROUSEK v 2,284,429

' FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Oct. 15, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IE5 lu lnu m 35 r' I as 3o 4! 4 37 MMEEEHHL 5e 9 I 62 i 56 m r INVENTOR. JOSEPH F.J \ROUSEK.

ATTORNEY O F. JIROUSEK 2,284,429

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed 001:. 15, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR. JOSEPH EJIROUSEK.

ATTORNEY 5 y 26, 1942- J. F. JIROUSEK 2,284,429

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING-PRESSES' Filed Oct. 13, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 15' .lEl

- INVENTOR.

H7 JOSEPH EJIROUSEK ATTORNEYS y 1942- J. F. JIROUSEK 2,284,429

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING FRESSES INVENTOR.

JOSEPH F.J EK

M, Wu-

ATTORNEY5 y 1942- J. F. JIROUSEK FEEDING MECHANISM FUR PRINTINGPRESSES Filed Oct. 13, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

-JOSEPH EJIROUSEK.

M, W ay AiTORNEY-fi y 1942- J. F. JIROUSEK 2,284,429

I FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES I Filed Oct. 13, 1939 8 Sheets-sheaf. a

INVENTOR. JOSEPH F.JIROUSE K.

ATTORNEY 8 Patented May 26, 1942 FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESBES Joseph F. Jironsek, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor'to The Chandler & Price Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 13, 1939, Serial No. 299,308

6 Claims.

This invention relates, as indicated, to feeding mechanism for printing presses and especially for presses of the lithographic or offset type.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a sheet feeding mechanism adapted to transport a large number of sheets to the impression cylinder in a short space of time but without requiring rapid movement of such sheets en route from stack to cylinder.

Another object is to provide such mechanism which is also easily adjustable and whose parts are readily accessible.

A further object of this invention is to provide sheet feeding means including novel sheet picker means of improved efliciency and positive action.

Other objects of this invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the feeding mechanism of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevatlonal view of the sheet corner buckling means taken on line 33 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the sheet elevating means taken on line 4-4 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevational View in cross-section of the suction means illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the air blast means taken on the line 6-6 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is another view of said air blast means and guide means therefor shown partly in crosssection taken along the line 1-1 on Fig. 6;-

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of one sheet elevating assembly taken on the line 88 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a view along the line 99 on Fig. 8 of the rear edge stack gauge;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the sheet moving means taken on the line l-ill on Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a view in cross-section along the line ll-il on Fig. 1 of a portion of the sheet conveyor driving means;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l2-I2 on Fig. 2 of said sheet conveyor driving means;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line |3-l3 on Figs. 1 and 14 of the sheet conveyor mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of a portion of said conveyor;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view showing the air and suction supply systems;

Fig. 16 is an elevational view in cross-section of the sheet feeding mechanism from stack to cylinder;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic representation in elevation of the sheets as they pass from stack to cylinder showing their overlapping relationship; and

Fig. 18 is a top view of such sheets as shown in Fig. 17.

Referring now more particularly to said annexed drawings and especially Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the sheet feeding mechanism of this invention comprises sheet picker means adjustably mounted on the frame I of the press and sheet conveying means for transporting the sheets to the impression cylinder 2.

The sheet picker assembly is constituted as follows: Attached solidly to the frame I of the press and on either side of the feed table which supports the stack 3 are racks 4 and 4' on which move pinions 5 and 5'. At each end of pinion shaft 6 and supported on sleeves embracing said racks 4 and 4', are end members 1 and 'l' which carry cross-shafts 8, 9, l9 and II therebetween. Shafts 9, l0 and II are hollow, shaft 9 being adapted to carry compressed air and shafts l9 and II being connectible to a vacuum line. Shaft 8 is rotatably mounted in bushings in said end members 1 and l with a bevel gear l2 at one end. Engaging said gear is another bevel gear l3 slidably keyed to a shaft I4 by means of a groove 15 in said shaft. Said gear I3 may be fixedly positioned on said shaft H by means of a set screw l6 whichefiectively prevents movement of said pinions on said racks in a direction toward said impression cylinder. Movement in the other direction is preventedby a sleeve I! about said shaft I 4 which is bolted to the end member I. By means of bevel gears l8 and I9,

power is derived from the cross drive shaft 29 when the pin 2| is in engagement with the slot 22 in gear l9. As shown in Fig. 2 said pin is in disengaged position and gears l9 and I8 would not be turning. Conventional clutch means controlled by cam lever 23 are employed to effect such engagement and disengagement.

Adjacent rear corners of the stack, on shafts 8, 9 and III, are mounted sheet pick-up units identical but for the fact that one is the mirror image of the other. One of these units .s shown in top plan in Fig. 2 and in elevation in progressive sections in Figs. 3, 4, and 6. Each unit comprises an outer, substantially U-shaped frame member 24 mounted on the work shaft 8 and hol- 2 low shaft 9 and encompassing the mountings of the other elements whereby a proper relationship of the same may be maintained and the whole unit moved together on the cross shafts when adjustment is made for different sheet sizes.

Within said U-shaped member and mounted on shaft 9 is a supportingmember kept from pivoting about said shaft 8 by means of a fork 25 engaging shaft l0. Mounted in a boss 21 on said member 25 is a pin shaft 28 to which are fixed arms 29 and 85. Said arm 29 carries a roller 8| which is held in contact with the face of cam 82 by means of the torsional spring 33, said cam being keyed to shaft 8. Slidably housed at the other end of arm 30 is a vertical rod 34 prevented from turning in the housing 85 and whose vertical movement is limited by a pin 38 in a slot 31. To the lower end of said rod 84 is attached a mounting 38 for a rubber shoe 39. Said shoe is constantly pressedlon top of the stack 3 by means of a coil spring 48 interposed between said housing and said mounting 88.

a horizontal rod 4| and at the end of said horizontal rod a vertical rod 42 is mounted in a mount permitting angular adjustment and extension. A wire 48 extending from the foot of said vertical rod 42 presses down on the upper edge of the stack 8 a few inches forward of the comer adjacent which said shoe 39 operates.

Another rod 44 extends from the forward end of member 25 parallel to the rear edge of said stack. On its end is pivotally mounted an arm 45 which carries a rubber shoe 45 adapted to bear on the rear edge of the stack. Continuous pressure is maintained by means of a torsional spring 41. (See Figs. 8 and 9.)

Also attached to the forward end of member 25 is a small flat bar 48 parallel to the rear edge of the stack. At its end slidably mounted in a housing 49 is a vertically disposed rod 50 carrying a metal foot 5| near its lower extremity. Said foot is kept pressed against the upper edge of said stack by means of a spring 52 between said foot and said housing. The portion of said rod 58 below said foot contacts the rear side of said stack. Said foot 5| acts as a hold-down but permits the movement of shoe '39 to buckle the top sheet between the rubber shoe 45 and the wire 48, the edge of such sheet slipping from under said metal foot which then rests on the second sheet and keeps the same in place. A wire hold-down such as 43 has also been found to be satisfactory. The disposition of the abovedescribed shoes, feet and hold-downs is best i1- lustrated in Figs. 3, 8 and 9.

Mounted within the compass of said frame member 24 are two other elements of the unit, the sheet grasping means and the air blast means.

Said sheet grasping means comprises a frame piece 53 pivotally mounted on s I aft 9. It is further supported by a roller 54 esting on the cam 55 keyed to shaft 8, saidcam imparting a rocking action to said frame piece as shaft 8 rotates. Said roller is held in close association with said cam by means of a spring 58 between said frame piece 53 and said member 25.

A block 51 is pivotally mounted on the side of said member 25 adjacent said frame piece 53.

Through said block and slidable therein'passes a tube 55 closed at its lower end and supported by a clamp 59 and stub pin 58 fitting in a slot 5| in the end of said'frame piece 58. Said tube 58 is tapped by a rigidly affixed tube 52 carrying another vertical tube 88. The lower end of said last named tube is open and inserted therein is a stub'tube 54 with a rubber sucker tip at its .end. (See Fig. 5.) A pin 55 on said stub tube fits in a slot 51 in said vertical tube 53 and limits the possible relative vertical movement. Inside said tube 53 a coil spring 58 acts on the inner end of tube 54 to keep such latter tube at its lower limit. As a result, jarring which might derange the mechanism is avoided. A rubber tube connects the nipple 59 with hollow shaft through which suction is intermittently applied as'described below.

The air-blast means comprises a frame piece 18 pivotally mounted on shaft 9 and further supported by a roller resting on a cam 12 keyed to shaft 8, as best shown in Fig. 6. At the forward end of said frame piece 10 is apivotally mounted clamping block 13 holding a tube 14 with its lower end'bent and flattened to provide a narrow orifice I5. The lower portion of said tube is held in a clamp 18 (shown in cross-section in Fig. 7) which carries a cam roller 11 which runs in the cam slot 18 in the angular member 19 secured to the end of arm 25. Thus,

as the cam 12 rotates, the tube 14 is reciprocated and the lower end moved forward on each down stroke. A nipple 85 at the upper end of said tube is connected to hollow shaft 9 by rubber tubing through which compressed air is intermittently passed to exit at said orifice I5.

The operation as a whole of the above described sheet pick up unit will be detailed below in conjunction with that of the other parts of the assembly. As noted above and illustrated in Fig. l, a like pick up unit is located in a like position at the other corner of the stack and the two operate in unison.

Centrally positioned between said sheet pick up units is an assembly for advancing the sheet to the sheet conveying means, being best shown in Figs. 2 and 10. Said assembly comprises two adjacent units (one a mirror image of the other) acting in unison. A rectangular block 5| is mounted on shaft 8 within a U-shaped member 82. The upper portioiis of the arms of said U- shaped member are bridged by a plate 83 carrying a cam roller 84 which rides on the cam 85 and thus supports said member 82. Coil springs 88 and 81 keep cam 85 and roller 54 in close contact. Piercing the upper ends of said U- shaped member and slidably mounted therein is a rod 88. A member 89 is pivotally attached to the lower portion of said U-shaped member and connected to said rod 88 by means of the link 90, one end of said link being pivotally attached to the clamp 9| on said rod. A roller 92 is mounted on said member 89 in position to contact the cam 93 which in its rotation thus acts to reciprocate rod 88.

At theforward end of said rod 88 a short vertical rod 94 descends to a clamp 95 which embraces a horizontal rod 95 (this same rod is embraced by corresponding clamp 95' of the other unit of the assembly, thus joining the two). Positioned on this rod 98 is clamp 91 which houses a vertically slidable tube 98. Said tube is-bent forwardly and downwardly and terminates in a rubber sucker tip 99. A coil spring I89 interposed between said clamp housing 91 and the I bend in tube 98 serves to maintain said sucker tip 99 in depressed position relative to said clamp housing and eliminates jarring and possible damage if said tip should accidentally strike the top of the stack. The nipple I III at the upper end of said tube 98 is connected by rubber tubing to hollow shaft i through which suction is intermittently applied. A like sucker assembly is held by clamp 91' toward the other end of rod 96 (see Fig. 1).

A coil spring I02 compressed between stop I03 and the near arm of the U-shaped member 82 serves to maintain roller 92 in constant contact with cam 93. An arm I04 affixed to said block 8| and embracing shaft 9 serves to prevent pivotal movement of the whole unit about shaft 8. It will now be seen that rotation of shaft 8 with consequent rotation of cams 85 and 93 will result in both vertical and horizontal reciprocation of sucker tip 99 as more particularly described below.

The drive shaft 20 derives its power from a sprocket and chain (not shown) and turns the conveyor drive shaft I through gear I06, re-

duction gearing I01, and gears I08 and I09. (See Figs. 11 and 12.) Said conveyor drive shaft I05 may be stopped or started at will by means of the clutch IIO controlled by lever III and link H2 operated by a cam lever (not shown) adjacent lever 23.

Three woven tape belts II3 pass about said shaft I05 and freely turning shaft II4. Two other belts II5, one on each side of said aforementioned belts, pass about freely turning shaft I I6. Tension is maintained in the belts by means of belt-tighteners I I1 such as that illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. The wooden table II8 beneath the conveyor belts has a large glass insert II9 which together with a light bulb placed thereunder facilitates inspection of the water foun-.

tain, dampening rollers, cylinders, etc., of the press.

Cross shaft I20 serves as a pivotal mount for a pair of L-shaped arms I2I and I2I' (see Figs. 1, 2 and 16). The assembly of arm I2I will be described, it being understood that that of arm I2I is similar. A roller I22 at one end of said pivotal arm contacts a cam I23 on the-drive shaft 20, causing the forward end of said arm to moverup and down in an are about the axis of shaft I20. A pivotally mounted extension I24 of said arm carries a roller I25 adapted to contact one of the tapes II3 as it passes over conveyor.drive shaft I05 (or to rest on the sheets passing therebetween). A compression spring I26 and an adjustable stop serve to adjustably position extension arm I24 and keep the same from bearing down too severely or tipping back when the cam action raises roller I25.

A flat cross-bar I21 attached to the frame I supports a pair of brackets I28 and I28 each carrying similar assemblies. That of bracket I28 will be described as illustrative of both (see Figs.

13 and 14). A bar I29 is held in said bracketand extends forwardly therefrom. Also supported in a boss I30 on said bracket and adjustably positioned therein by means of a set screw I3I is a small vertical rod I32 carrying a horizontal rod I33 having an upturned rear end. By proper adjustment of said vertical rod said horizontal rod may 'bepositioned slightly above the level of the conveyor tapes to hold the sheets closely thereon. Similar rods I34 and I34 are held in brackets I35 and I35 and carry small tabs at their ends which effectually smooth out any curl at the edge of the sheet.

Approximately midway on bar I29 a bracket I36 is adjustably positioned. Pivotally mounted on a bolt I31 inserted in said bracket are a brush I38 and an arm I39. said arm carrying a roller I40. A torsional spring I, also somewhat compressed, between the head of said bolt and said arm acts to press said brush and roller downwards to keep the sheets pressed against the conveyor tapes.

An arm I42 is pivotally'mountedon a bolt I43 inserted in bracket I28 with torsional spring I44 acting to turn said arm downwardly. A fibre roller I45 is carried at' the end of said arm.

Another bracket I46 is adjustably positioned on rod I29 and arm I41 pivotally mounted thereon. An adjustable screw I48 bears on one end of said arm, elevating the other end of said arm as it is depressed. The other end of said arm houses a rotatable metal ball I49 the lower portion of which is adapated to rest on the sheets passing thereunder- Side gauges I19 mounted on an oscillating cross-rod I50 gauge the sheets just before they are fed to the impression cylinder 2.

The controls for the conventional stack elevating means are also illustrated in Fig. 2, comprising a feeler finger I5I mounted on rod I52 which rod is rocked by the reciprocating partial rotation of shaft I53. Said shaft is turned by arm I 54 as the latter is raised and lowered by roller I55 running against cam I56. As sheets of arm I51 is raised permitting progressive elevaare removed from the top of the stack the end tion of the stack. The mechanism therefor is well known to those skilled in the art and forms no part of the present invention.

The air blast and suction means are automatically controlled as illustrated in Fig. 15. A cam I58 on the end of shaft 20 acts on roller I59 to reciprocate arm I60 in an arc about its pivotal mounting I6I. A spring I62 holds said roller in constant contact with said cam. A link I63 connects the end of said arm with valve actuating lever I64 which operates rotary valve I65. Said valve controls the suction in hollow shaft I 0 by way of flexible tubing I66 which it connects with vacuum line I61. Said vacuum line also connects with hollow shaft I I by way of flexible tubing I68 and I69 intercepted by slide-valve I10. Said last-named valve is controlled by a cam IN on the end of shaftB which contacts roller I12 on the slide of said valve. A similar valve I13 actuated by cam I14 on shaft 20 controls the flow of compressed air passing through turncock I15, tubing I16, hollow shaft 9, and thence to air-blast tubes 14.

The operation of the above described sheet feeding mechanism is as follows: With hold-1 downs 43 and 46 resting on the stack rubber shoes 39 buckle up the two rear corners of the top-most sheet. Sucker tips contact the bulged portion of said sheet, the suction comes on, and said tips raise the rear edge of said sheet about one inch above the top of the stack, the buckler shoes 39 retrac'ing as the'tips take hold. Simultaneously with the rising action of said tips the air-blast tubes 14 move downward and forward so that at the top of the rise of said tips said tubes are resting on top of the next sheet on the stack, holding the same down. Then the air-blast comes on, floating the first sheet, the aforesaid sucker tips 65 release their hold, and sucker tips 99 descend to meet said sheet and seize and advance the same, the forward portion being floated by said air blast.

The forward edge of said flrst sheet is thus advanced to a point slightly beyond roller I05; the air-blast ceases, rollers III descend to hold said sheet' flrmly against the conveyor belts II: and IIS, and the sheet is then continuously advanced by said belts. Should the sheets become clogged or crumpled the conveyor may be disengaged by use of the clutch IIII, permitting prompt remedial action without stopping the press or carrying such improperly disposed sheets to the impression cylinder where more serious trouble might arise.

After the above-described movements of the sheet picker means the units return in position to repeat the cycle. This is so timed that the second sheet is advanced underlying the first sheet by somewhat more .than one-half its breadth (it will be understood that this may be varied to suit the circumstances), the rollers I25 being raised as the forward edge of such sheet is advanced thereunder. The third sheet and all thereafter are similarly advanced, all three sheets overlapping, to some extent. It will thus be seen that an overlapping feed is obtained permitting the conveyor to run at less speed than would otherwise be necessary. The arrangement and progressive movements of such sheets is best seen in Figs. 16, 1'7 and 18.

The sheets pass under rollers I45, I40 and I49, the most forward sheet passing from beneath rollers H5 and I" and being pressed down by brushes I38 and ball rollers I49 which permit gauging of the sheet. Brackets I38 and I46 may be positioned where desired on rods I29 to accommodate various sizes of sheets. The forward edge of the foremost sheet on the conveyor abuts against stops I11 which retract just prior to the arrival of sheet gripping Jaws I18 of the impression cylinder 2. As it is gripped, the next sheet takes its place, each sheet remaining momentarily stationary in this position although the conveyor is continuously bringing along the following sheets. a

- The mechanism of this invention has proven very advantageous in providing reliable and rapid feed from stack to cylinder without too rapid movement of the sheets, is easily adjustable, and may be operated by one without special skill or training.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In sheet feeding mechanism for printing presses and the like, means for buckling the two rear corners of the top-most sheet on a stack, said means comprising frictional means and hold-downs adjacent said corners continuously bearing on such stack, suction means operative to seize the resultant buckled portions of said sheet and elevate the rear edge thereof, air-blast means interposable between said top-most sheet and the next sheet of the stack and operative to float said top-most sheet, and suction means operative to seize and horizontally advance said top-most sheet, the forward edge thereof being floated by said air-blast.

2. The method of separating a' sheet from a stack preparatory to conveying the same to a printing press or the like which comprises buckling the rear corners of said sheet, seizingthe resultant buckled portions by suction means and elevating the rear edge of said sheet thereby, interposing air-blast means between said sheet and the next sheet below, floating said sheet by means of said air-blast, and seizing the rear portion of said sheet and horizontally advancing said sheet thus floated by further suction means.

3. In sheet feeding mechanism for printing presses and the like, means for buckling the two rear corners of the top-most sheet on a stack comprising cam-operated frictional means reciprocable in a horizontal plane and hold-downs adjacent said comers, suction means operative to seize the resultant buckled portions of said sheet and elevate the rear edge thereof comprising cam-operated sucker tips, air-blast means interposable between said top-most sheet and the next sheet of the stack and operative to rest on said latter sheet, and further cam-operated suction means operative to seize and advance said top-most sheet, the forward edge thereof being floated by the air-blast from said air-blast means.

4. In sheet feeding mechanism for printing presses and the like, means for buckling the two rear comers of vthe top-most sheet on a stack, each of said means comprising a friction shoe, cam-operated means for rocking said shoe in a horizontal plane, and hold-down means bearing on the rear and side edges of the stack adjacent the rear corners thereof, suction means operative to seize the resultant buckled portions of the sheet and elevate the rear edge thereof, air-blast means interposable between such elevated sheet and the next sheet of the stack, and further suction means operative to seize the rear portion of such sheet and advance such sheet, the. forward edge thereof being floated by the air-blast from said air-blast means.

5. In sheet feeding mechanism for printing presses and the like, means for buckling the two rear comers of the top-most sheet on a stack, each of said means comprising a friction shoe, cam-operated means for rocking said shoe in a horizontal plane, and hold-down means continuously bearing on the rear and side edges of the stack adjacent the rear corners thereof, suction means operative to seize the resultant buckled portions of the sheet and elevate the rear edge thereof, air-blast means interposable between such elevatedsheet and the next sheet of the stack, and further suction means operative to seize and advance such sheet horizontally, the forward edge thereof being floated by the air- .blast from said air-blast means.

6. In sheet feeding mechanism for printing presses and the like, a conveyor positioned between a stack of sheets and the press operative to transport sheets from such stack to such press in lapped relationship, rollers operative to bear on all but the foremost sheet on said conveyor and aligned with the path of movement of said conveyor, and ball roller means operative to bear on such foremost sheet on said conveyor, said means being adapted to facilitate sidewise gauging of such foremost sheet while at the same time maintaining a continuous substantially non-frictional pressure thereon.

JOSEPH F. JIROUSEK. 

